What is up with my cat's face?

Question

I recently got a new kitten (9 wks old). He and the resident cat (6 mos old) get along fine, albeit with a lot of play fighting.

A few days ago I noticed what seemed like a small scrape (like a scuff on suede) on his nose (the muzzle). I assumed he'd gotten it while rough-housing with the other cat and kept an eye on it. By day 2 the area had some white around it and I thought maybe it was new fur (he's a Siamese, their fur can grow back white), but it's gotten worse the past couple days and now I just have no idea what it is. It's like what happens when you get suede wet - stiff, kind of scabby looking, almost "cracked." I'm pretty sure it's not ringworm. It seems to vaguely match the description of some kinds of mange, but it's just on his nose, and neither he nor the other cat have any symptoms of mange (no scratching and it doesn't bother him). He's going to the vet if it doesn't improve, but..

Pics:
http://dokuja.com/misc/nose02.jpg
http://dokuja.com/misc/nose04.jpg

Any ideas??

Answer 1

Good grief. That's some kind of fungal infection. Get this gorgeous little guy to the vet right now.

Answer 2

Don't panic, it looks like sarcoptic mange to me. I've had cats and dogs that had it and they didn't scratch or itch and it always showed up on the face first. Take your kitten to the vet and they will do a skin scraping of it to determine what it is. Treatment nowadays is very easy, cheap, and effective. Most vets will give them a large dose of ivermectin (same as heartworm medicine) that will kill the mange parasite. The rash will clear up in a few days to weeks. You might have to do a dip bath, but most of the time you won't need to do that. All of my pets' cases cleared up without any problems. Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm clueless on that one. The first looks like dry skin, but the second... I don't know.

Are the insides of his ears ok and his paw pads supple? Or are both dry and look like they'll be peeling skin? If it's not just his nose, his whole skin would be affected. But if it's not and things are narrowed down to his nose, I don't know what to say.

It's not ringworm. And you wouldn't think of mange or any other skin problem being just on the nose area.

Best guess by the vet is probably what's called for.

Answer 4

first i have to say how dam cute is that kitty second dosent look too serious no open wounds not bleeding not bothering the cute thing id wait it out my kids come home with weird scratches and stuff all the time.if it does start to bother him i.e. itching and stuff then take him to the vet but as far as i see his hair is growing back who knows couldve been cause of fighting my cats are outdoors and i see this kinda stuff once in a while

just an addition after reading one review never use peroxide big misconcepion.its only to be used to clean the outside of the wound not the wound itself.use neosporen on it like one reviewer said

Answer 5

well, its an adorable kitten, just so cute. But it may be just a cut that could have gotten infected. You could go to a vet, or put some medicine on it, something like neosporin. Good Luck.

Answer 6

Cute kitty! Looks like there is a scrape and maybe some oozing from infection or just trying to scab over. It could be irritated from the washing because cats wash their faces alot. You could try some neosporin or antibiotic cream. It will not hurt them to ingest a very small amount. Also maybe a dab of peroxide with a q-tip. You can also get specialty first aid creams and salves from pet supply stores. if you don't have any luck or if kitty's behavior is affected, then I would take a trip to the vet.

Answer 7

The scratch may have gone deeper that you thought. Into his sinus cavity, whatever, he needs to go to the vet and have it checked for an abcess/infection. He is gorgeous.

Answer 8

looks like a fungal infection, bring him to the vet! The longer you wait, it will only get worse.

Answer 9

Vet now!

Answer 10

go to vet